Syrian army soldiers
© AP Photo/ Alexander Kots
In the northern Syrian province of Hama, Syrian Armed Forces and its allied forces started a sudden military army operation against al-Nusra Front militants.

The decision to storm the terrorists was taken by the command of the Armed Forces after successive attacks by al-Nusra Front militants. After delivery of weapons to its ranks, the militant group announced the so-called "Battle of Hama."

The Syrian Army organized a surprise assault on the city of Maan, which is considered to be one of the main strongholds of al-Nusra Front in Hama province.

A source in the army told Sputnik that during the operation, the terrorist attempts to break through the positions of the Syrian Army were repelled because the army managed to prepare in advance.

"50 militants were killed and several dozen members of al-Nusra Front were injured. In addition, the army managed to destroy the terrorists' rocket launcher, 4 armored cars and a car with built machine gun in the trunk," the source added.

The city of Maan is 30 km from Hama and it is one of the main strongholds of the terrorists where they make preparations for the attacks on the provincial capital from the northern side.